The Risks of Drinking DayQuil and Alcohol - Indiana Center for Recovery (2023)

Most ailments are treated with over-the-counter medications, yet people hardly give these any thought when taking them. Others show a certain amount of disregard and drink alcohol while taking their medications, while some people use caution and only drink water. Drinking alcohol can already be hazardous, but for those who mix alcohol and DayQuil, this is especially true.

If you are on the road to addiction treatment or unable to stop drinking while treating a flu or cold, start care at the Indiana Center for Recovery.

Dayquil Flu and Cold

Cold and flu symptoms can be treated with Dayquil Cold and Flu, often known as Dayquil. It functions as a flu remedy. Dayquil Cold and Flu, an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, contains the flu treatments acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Dextromethorphan suppresses coughing (cough suppressant), phenylephrine decongests, and acetaminophen reduces fever and pain. But carefully read the medication label because different Dayquil formulations have other active ingredients.

When suffering from the flu or a cold, stay away from alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol dehydrates the body and impairs the immune system. Some people with the flu or a cold may still want to drink while taking Dayquil. Several essential aspects must be considered before combining the two over-the-counter drugs.

Is it Dangerous to Combine DayQuil with Alcohol?

Widely used over-the-counter drug Vicks DayQuil is used to treat cold and flu symptoms like coughing, mild aches and pains, sore throat, sneezing, fever, headache, and headache.

DayQuil includes the decongestants phenylephrine and dextromethorphan, as well as the analgesic and antipyretic acetaminophen. Each component may have a different and occasionally convoluted response to alcohol, depending on who consumes it.

This is why discussing potential drug interactions between particular prescription flu medications and other substances, including alcohol, with a doctor is always a good idea. The safer option would be to keep DayQuil away from possibly reactive things like alcohol and other medications.

After Taking DayQuil, Can I Drink?

Avoid swallowing chemicals that might hurt the body, as previously said. Depending on the person, an alcoholic beverage can stay in the body for at least three hours. Anything ingested during this period could cause the body’s alcohol dependence to react.

The effects of DayQuil, on the other hand, may last from four to six hours, depending on the person. The DayQuil already present in the body may interact with any other medications taken at this time. Everyone has a different threshold. Thus there is no set time frame for when it is “safe” to drink alcohol after taking DayQuil or vice versa.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Cold Medicine?

Depending on their prescription, people frequently report feeling tired, lightheaded, and, to some extent, having difficulty typing. These effects could be considerably increased if alcohol and cold medications are taken together.

Dextromethorphan, an antihistamine included in DayQuil, can cause respiratory depression and heavy sedation when consumed with alcohol. Someone could be entirely unconscious, have dangerously slow respiration, and eventually die.

Risks of Taking DayQuil and Alcohol Together

There is always a chance of injury when two potent medications combine within the body. No matter a person’s tolerance or threshold, the harm might be severe or life-threatening and appear immediately or later. This is primarily because of compounding consequences.

The nature and severity of the reaction may depend on the individual and the particular elements of the drug taken with alcohol. In addition, Studies have shown that combining alcohol and acetaminophen can potentially injure the liver. Despite being rare, the harm could be severe or even life-threatening.

Combining alcohol with phenylephrine may result in varying degrees of confusion, faintness, dizziness, respiratory issues, and loss of balance. These two over-the-counter drugs have even caused people to resist being awakened. An increased risk of liver damage and kidney disease in older persons has been suggested by recent studies on the interactions between acetaminophen and alcohol.

The hazards associated with combining DayQuil with these active components outweigh any tolerance a person may have to the effects of other medications interacting in the body. Dayquil contains dangerous amounts. Hence, it shouldn’t be used with alcohol for several reasons:

• Alcohol and dextromethorphan, and acetaminophen interact.
• Dayquil doses and alcohol combine poorly.
• Acetaminophen and alcohol harm the liver in significant quantities (liver failure).
• Individuals may be more likely to overdose if they combine the two drugs.

Liver Damage Risks

The maximum amount of acetaminophen per day that the Food and Drug Administration recommends is 3,000 mg. The maximum daily intake is lower if a person drinks alcohol (alcoholic beverages). Each Dayquil LiquiCap has 325 mg of acetaminophen, compared to 650 mg in syrup. The manufacturer cautions that the potential for severe liver issues in the following situations:

• More than four Dayquil dosages in a single day
• Dayquil and other acetaminophen-containing medications brought together.
• Drink three or more alcoholic beverages daily while taking Dayquil.

Risks Associated with Acetaminophen or Dextromethorphan

Since acetaminophen overdose is a known issue, always take Dayquil at the suggested dosage. Be aware that numerous over-the-counter and prescription drugs include acetaminophen. A person should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking Dayquil if they consume alcohol.

Like acetaminophen, dextromethorphan and alcohol are dangerous and can lead to an overdose. Dextromethorphan at high doses can be used recreationally to make some people feel euphoric. However, there have been reports of unfavorable side effects such as delusions, psychosis, and hallucinations. These effects may be made worse by alcohol.

DayQuil and Alcohol Combinations Create Complications

The numerous harmful effects alcohol has on the body, such as neurological diseases that induce sudden, unpredictable changes in mood and personality. Other effects include:

• Decreased amount of spatial awareness
• Cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmia
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Drinking and liver disease
• Liver fibrosis
• Cirrhosis
• Cancer Pancreatitis
• Elevated blood pressure
• Body pains

The probability of having one or more of these issues is significantly increased when excessive alcohol use is paired with substance usage. Given DayQuil’s narcotic effect, which commonly causes feelings of exhaustion and profound relaxation, some people may find that mixing it with alcohol produces an even more pleasurable experience.

Effects of Alcohol Consumption with Dayquil

When taken as directed, Dayquil can have adverse side effects such as nausea, upset stomach, anxiety, migraines, and severe liver damage (because of the acetaminophen). Alcohol use in excess can increase the likelihood of an overdose and intensify the common severe, hazardous adverse effects of Dayquil.

The primary cause of the psychotic significant side effects is dextromethorphan, although vomiting, elevated blood pressure, and stomach discomfort may be symptoms of an acute acetaminophen overdose. It’s critical to remember that excessive acetaminophen use over time might cause liver damage (liver problems may worsen) without manifesting any noticeable side effects.

Higher amounts of both alcohol and Dayquil can be fatal. You should seek emergency medical assistance if you think taking Dayquil while drinking alcohol may have led to an overdose. According to one study, having one medical issue increases your likelihood of developing another.

DayQuil Withdrawal Symptoms

Dextromethorphan, one of DayQuil’s main ingredients, is remarkable in that, depending on the dosage, it can have opposing effects. Low doses have energizing effects, while higher doses have sedative effects.

Even larger doses act as a dissociative hallucinogen, causing feelings of alienation. This impact is one of the elements influencing the adoption of dextromethorphan-containing over-the-counter medications as recreational drugs.

One of the many recreational drugs known to lead to full-blown drug addiction is DayQuil. DayQuil withdrawal cold symptoms that manifest during detox in our facility in Indiana Center for Recovery include:

• Restlessness
• Cold flashes, stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Insomnia
• A sore muscle
• Clogged nose
• Continent pain
• Mood changes
• Spasms of muscles

Treatment for Alcoholism when Using DayQuil

Every time a person abuses alcohol or drugs, they experience tremendous alteration. This typically manifests as a change in how people act, feel, and think. The changes may often be so significant that the person no longer resembles the person they were before succumbing to substance abuse. Dayquil and alcohol addiction therapy address these changes.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Given that they lack the drive to stop abusing alcohol or drugs, it is essential to talk to the patient about how they see right and wrong and how they react to each decision.

This behavior needs to be altered because they frequently use drugs or alcohol to cope with stress and problems. Alcohol use disorder is replaced with new habits that won’t hurt them as a legitimate response to stress and obstacles. Their coping processes are improved through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Self-harm, which includes substance misuse, is triggered by specific situations. Even while some people tend to protect themselves from pain, including the harm they do, they may be susceptible to an emotional overload that prevents them from being able to defend themselves.

Many people frequently turn to alcohol and drugs when burdened with negative emotions, deadening their ability to think and feel. Dialectical behavior therapy increases people’s ability to manage emotional overload, enhances their capacity to assess their situation, and helps them develop non-self-destructive alternatives. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, almost half of all Americans with a mental illness also experience a substance use disorder (SUD) at some point in their lives (NIDA).

Patients can experience the full range of their health inside the facility with inpatient drug rehab, also referred to as residential therapy. We are committed to providing treatment for ladies with serious chemical dependency addiction at Indiana Center for Recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you drink alcohol while on DayQuil?

DayQuil’s manufacturer, Procter & Gamble, cautions against drinking while taking it, especially if you regularly consume substantial amounts of alcohol or just one drink per day. One of the potentially dangerous side effects of combining alcohol and acetaminophen is fever. Aching or swelling in the joints.

How long after DayQuil Can I drink alcohol?

Even though drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking DayQuil, you can do so 4 to 6 hours after your last dose. However, alcohol can linger in your bloodstream for up to three hours with just one drink. It is better to wait three hours to prevent DayQuil overdose.

How long after taking DayQuil is it ok to drink alcohol?

Doctors don’t recommend drinking while taking DayQuil, but 4 to 6 hours after your last dose, most agree it is safer to consume. However, the effects of a single drink of alcohol might continue for around three hours. So, the ideal time to take another DayQuil dose is four hours after drinking.

Seek Help from Indiana Center for Recovery

Mixing DayQuil and alcohol is also a symptom of addiction to a substance if you feel you’ve “lost control.” If you are battling alcoholism, this is the right time to ask for help. Please call Indiana Center for Recovery addiction treatment programs immediately when you have any questions or wish to contact us.

High-quality alcohol detox and rehabilitation treatments are offered by Indiana center for Recovery licensed treatment facilities. Learn more about Indiana Center for Recovery programs by speaking with a caring staff member or medical professional.

Ask one of our qualified medical professionals for assistance. We are always available for our clients. Contact us at (844) 650-0064.